Chapter 1: Wake up Roar
I woke up on a piece of driftwood and I'm lost at sea. I remembered that I was on a ship having a party. It was my 11th birthday. Everyone was singing "Happy Birthday" to me when the cake was handed out. I was about to blow out the candles but a strong
wind did it for me. Then the wind blew faster and faster and then dark clouds started coming. We were headed into a storm and with the rain and strong wind coming, it was a big one. I tried to pull myself together in these circumstances but the storm just got even stronger and before I knew it, lightning started flashing all around the ship. My family and friends were still outside and trying to get back inside but the wind closed the doors shut. Then a bolt of lightning struck a box and started a fire and the worst part, one of the lightning bolts struck me from top to bottom. Luckily, it wasn't that powerful so I was still alive but the wind gotten even stronger and blew me away but I caught the rail of the boat and was hanging on for dear life. When I could finally see clear, I watched in horror as my friends got hurt or worse, either blown in the raging waves or dead. Then slowly the boat started to fall apart and one of the floorboards knocked me out and flew me into the sea.
It was an ugly scene but lucky me, I was still alive. The only thing keeping me afloat was the piece of driftwood I was lying on. Right now, the seas are calm.
"I hope the seas will take me to a safe place." I said to myself and the waves lulled me back to sleep.
Suddenly, I woke up hearing a loud roar. It wasn't a lion or a bear; not even a bear. Sounded more like a dragon. A Dragon?! "No way. That just can't be." I thought. Then I heard it again. I looked up and I saw a creature with wings fly in the sky. I was still in the ocean so I washed my face with the saltwater from the ocean and pinched myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. When I dried myself off, I bumped into a brown, wooden pole. I discovered that I was at a dock. When I climbed on top the dock, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was on a massive piece of land, teeming with life, bursting with creativity on the buildings and filled with people in viking armor. But, most of all, this place was living with dragons. Real life fire breathing dragons. My mouth just dropped. I was just completely blown away by this place. Hold up. I've seen this place before. Not in reality but in pictures and heard in stories. I got myself together and thought hard of the environment I was in. Dragons, Viking village, many people in Viking armor…
Oh my gosh. Am I in Berk? I thought.
I decided to ask someone that right after I get a look around. There were many people looking at me strangely. I was in a tattered white buttoned down shirt and ripped jeans. Did I mention that I was soaked like crazy? I looked like a waterlogged boy that got beaten bad by someone. After walking around some parts of Berk, I went to this land with many houses and I saw this girl who was taking care of this blue spiky dragon. I hid behind a rock and watched her at work with the dragon peeping to get a glimpse of the amazing feat.
Well, she's one brave girl to be handling a dragon with that many spikes. Maybe she can tell where I am. No. That may not be a good idea. I thought to myself.
For almost an hour, I've been thinking about what to do. Then, I heard footsteps coming closer to where I am. I looked back and she's walking my way. I turned back around.
How did she know I was here? Must've be my shadow. I thought.
I looked and saw my shadow. The sun was directed toward the east so anyone on that side could see it and I bet she saw it and wanted to see who or what I am. Made sense to me.
Well, this is it, Now or never. I thought. She went around and saw me. I stood up and dusted myself off.
"Well, hello there. You look lost. Are you ok?" she asked in a calm voice.
I took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Yes, I am. What is this place?"
"You mean you never heard of Berk?" she said.
Bingo! I knew it was Berk. The town where dragons and Vikings lived in peace and harmony. I remember reading stories about that place but what stuck out to me was the story of a boy befriending a rare dragon, a dragon in black.
"You mean the Berk? The place where Vikings and Humans live together in peace and harmony? That Berk?" I asked.
Now it was her turn to look surprised.
"Were you here before?" she asked, bewildered.
"No ma'am. Just heard stories. They were very exciting but I never expected them to be true." I answered.
"Well, ok. My name is Astrid." she introduced.
"Astrid? Well, what a beautiful name." I said. "The name's L.J. It's a pleasure to meet you."
We both shook hands and I had the feeling we were going to be good friends. "How did you get here?" Astrid asked.
"I got in a shipwreck and floated here on a piece of driftwood. Too bad that was on my birthday." I said.
"Oh, I'm sorry that happened." Astrid said sympathetically.
"No big. Just have to wait another 363 days for the next one." I said.
I looked up in the sky and saw it was getting dark. "It's getting dark." Astrid said. "You can sleep in my place." she offered.
"Thanks. You sure you won't mind?" I asked. Didn't want to be rude or anything.
"That's ok. Stormfly's the only one I got." She pointed at her dragon.
"Whoa. That's your dragon?! How is that dragon yours?" I asked with surprise.
"I'm a dragon trainer. Stormfly, I like you to meet L.J." Astrid said.
I slowly stepped up to her. This is the first time I ever got close to a real dragon. "Don't worry. It won't bite." Astrid said.
"I'm sorry. I'm just nervous." I said stuttering.
I lifted my shivering hand in front of Stormfly. I closed my eyes.
It's ok. I'm not gonna hurt you. I thought in my mind.
I went closer and closer until I stopped and felt breathing. I opened my eyes and couldn't believe it. I actually touched a dragon for the very first time in my life. My heart was pumping but I was bursting with happiness on the inside.
"Congrats. Now let's hit the hay." she said.
When I laid on the floor, I couldn't believe what just happened. I got introduced to a land I heard but never did believe was real. I touched a real live dragon. Heck, I've met a dragon trainer. Things are coming up roses but little did I know what adventures were in store for me.